Indulge Guilt-Free: Decadent Vegan Chocolate Donuts with 2-Ingredient Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache

Discover the ultimate vegan chocolate donuts, crafted with wholesome oat flour and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. Crowned with an incredibly easy, yet utterly decadent, 2-ingredient chocolate hazelnut ganache.

There’s a special kind of joy that comes from creating something truly delicious, especially when it challenges common perceptions about what “healthy” baking can be. Today, friends, I’m feeling incredibly proud to share a recipe that perfectly embodies this spirit. Imagine a treat so rich and satisfying, yet made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients you can truly feel good about. That’s exactly what these Vegan Chocolate Donuts are!

For a long time, the idea of a truly healthy donut seemed almost impossible to me. Donuts were often relegated to the “occasional indulgence” category, packed with oil, refined sugar, and animal products. But what if we could redefine the donut? What if we could craft a version that was not only incredibly delicious but also aligned with a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle?

And so, a culinary quest began. The inspiration struck when a dear friend reached out, seeking a reliable, go-to donut recipe that fit dietary preferences. At that moment, I realized I didn’t have one that truly represented the ethos of Flora & Vino – oil-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and proudly vegan. It felt like a challenge, but also an exciting opportunity to innovate.

The result? These extraordinary Vegan Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache. They are a game-changer, proving that you don’t have to compromise on taste or texture to enjoy a better-for-you treat. In fact, these donuts are so good, they might just become your new favorite baked good. They’re ready in just about 15 minutes of baking time, utilizing simple, nourishing ingredients.

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Vegan Chocolate Donuts

These aren’t just any donuts; they’re a testament to conscious indulgence. Every bite is a delightful combination of moist, tender cake and rich, luxurious chocolate. But beyond their incredible taste, there are several compelling reasons why these baked vegan chocolate donuts stand out:

• Dietary Friendly: They are completely oil-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary needs and preferences without sacrificing flavor.
• Wholesome Ingredients: Made with oat flour and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce, they boast a healthier profile than traditional donuts.
• Quick & Easy: With a minimal prep time and just 15 minutes in the oven, you can have fresh, warm donuts ready in under half an hour. Perfect for a spontaneous craving or a quick breakfast treat!
• Decadent Ganache: The accompanying 2-ingredient chocolate hazelnut ganache is incredibly simple to whip up, yet it adds a layer of rich, nutty chocolate flavor that truly elevates these donuts to dessert status.
• Beautiful Presentation: These donuts are not only delicious but also visually stunning, especially with the optional chocolate drizzle. They are truly Insta-worthy and perfect for sharing!

Key Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Chocolate Donuts

The magic of these donuts lies in their carefully selected, whole-food ingredients that create a perfect balance of flavor, moisture, and texture without the need for traditional unhealthy additives. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to make these tender, chocolate-y delights:

• Oat Flour: This provides a wonderful, subtly nutty flavor and a tender crumb. It’s naturally gluten-free and adds a boost of fiber.
• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: A blend of gluten-free flours helps achieve the ideal donut consistency. For those without a blend, more oat flour or almond flour can be used (though coconut flour is not recommended for substitution).
• Baking Powder: Essential for leavening, ensuring your donuts rise beautifully and have that light, airy texture.
• Cacao Powder: The star of the show! Cacao powder delivers a deep, rich chocolate flavor and is packed with antioxidants. Make sure to use unsweetened cacao for the best control over sweetness.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, providing a lovely depth of flavor without any refined sugars. Its liquid form also contributes to the donuts’ moisture.
• Ground Flaxseed: Used to create “flax eggs,” this acts as a fantastic vegan binder, replacing traditional eggs and adding healthy omega-3s.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: This is the secret weapon for making these donuts oil-free. Applesauce adds incredible moisture and a natural sweetness without imparting any noticeable apple flavor to the final product.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: The liquid base that brings all the ingredients together, creating a smooth, pourable batter. Any plant-based milk will likely work, but almond milk keeps the flavor neutral.

That’s truly it! Simple ingredients, spectacular results.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Vegan Chocolate Donuts

Making these vegan chocolate donuts is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of perfectly baked, incredibly moist, and utterly delicious treats. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they come together!

1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two donut pans with coconut oil spray or a thin layer of coconut oil. This ensures your donuts pop out easily.
2. Form Flax Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, prepare your flax eggs. Combine 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of filtered water. Stir well and let the mixture sit for about 5-7 minutes. This allows the flaxseed to absorb the water and create a gel-like consistency, acting as a binder.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Once your flax eggs are ready and gelled, add the pure maple syrup, unsweetened applesauce, and unsweetened almond milk to the bowl. Whisk everything together until thoroughly combined and smooth.
4. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the oat flour, gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cacao powder. Sifting prevents lumps and ensures a light, even texture in your donuts.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredient mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough donuts. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
6. Fill Donut Pans: Carefully spoon the donut batter into each crevice of your prepared donut pans. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full to allow for rising. Gently shake the pan side to side to help distribute the batter evenly and create a smooth surface.
7. Bake to Perfection: Place the donut pans in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. The donuts are done when they are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The exact baking time might vary slightly depending on your oven.
8. Cool: Once baked, remove the donut pans from the oven. Let the donuts cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This prevents them from sticking and helps them firm up before frosting.

While your delightful donuts are cooling, you can prepare the luscious chocolate hazelnut ganache and an optional chocolate drizzle to top them off!

Creative Swaps & Smart Substitutions for Your Donuts

This recipe is designed to be flexible, allowing for minor adjustments based on what you have on hand or specific dietary needs. Here are some ideas for swaps and substitutions to make these vegan chocolate donuts uniquely yours:

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: The recipe calls for a mix of oat flour and a general gluten-free all-purpose flour. If you don’t have a specific blend, you can double the amount of oat flour for a more wholesome, rustic texture. Alternatively, substituting half of the gluten-free blend with almond meal could add a lovely richness. I haven’t tested other flours extensively, but for an extra chocolate-hazelnut kick, trying hazelnut meal for half of the gluten-free flour component would be an excellent experiment! Please note: coconut flour absorbs liquids very differently and is not recommended as a direct substitution.
• Protein Boost: For those looking to increase the protein content, I’ve successfully tested a version with 50% chocolate protein powder replacing some of the cacao powder/flour. While this works great for nutrition, be aware that it might produce slightly flatter, less perfectly round donuts. If aesthetics aren’t your top priority and protein is, this is a fantastic option!
• Oil-Free Moisture: Applesauce is key to making these donuts oil-free while keeping them incredibly moist, and it won’t leave any apple-y taste. If you don’t have applesauce readily available, unsweetened pumpkin purée or even beet purée (for a hidden veggie boost and subtle color) can work as excellent alternatives. Ensure they are unsweetened to maintain control over the sweetness level.
• Sweetener Alternatives: While pure maple syrup is recommended for its natural sweetness and moisture contribution, agave nectar can be used as a direct 1:1 substitute if preferred.
• Milk Alternatives: Unsweetened almond milk works wonderfully, but feel free to use any other plant-based milk you prefer, such as soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk. Just ensure it’s unsweetened.

Experimentation is part of the fun in baking, so don’t hesitate to personalize this recipe to your liking!

Crafting the Decadent 2-Ingredient Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache

What could be better than a healthy chocolate donut? A healthy chocolate donut topped with a rich, smooth chocolate hazelnut ganache! The beauty of this ganache lies in its simplicity – just two ingredients deliver an incredible depth of flavor and luxurious texture. This ganache truly takes these donuts from “woah” to “WOW!”

Here’s what you need for this simple yet decadent chocolate hazelnut ganache:

• Hu Kitchen Hazelnut Butter Chocolate Bar: This is the secret to the rich, intense flavor and creamy texture. Using a high-quality chocolate bar like Hu Kitchen’s ensures a superior taste experience. Break it into pieces for easier melting.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: This helps to create the perfect consistency for the ganache, making it smooth and pourable without thinning out the chocolate flavor.

That’s truly all you need!

How to Prepare the Ganache:

1. Melt the Chocolate: While your donuts are baking, you can begin preparing the ganache. Add the broken pieces of the Hu Kitchen Hazelnut Butter Chocolate Bar to a small saucepan. Place it over medium-low heat. Stir constantly and gently until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate – low and slow is key here.
2. Combine with Almond Milk: Once the chocolate is melted, transfer it immediately to a glass bowl. Gradually add the unsweetened almond milk, whisking continuously until the mixture is thoroughly combined and has a uniform, glossy appearance. The ganache will start to thicken as it cools.
3. Chill to Perfection: For the best frosting consistency, refrigerate the ganache mixture until it’s ready for use. This will allow it to firm up slightly, making it easier to “frost” your cooled donuts.

Once your donuts have cooled for 15-20 minutes, they’re ready for their luxurious topping! Carefully remove the cooled donuts from the pan and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Dip each donut into the chocolate hazelnut ganache, or spoon it generously over the tops. Allow any excess to drip off.

Optional Chocolate Drizzle:

For an extra touch of elegance and chocolatey goodness, add an optional chocolate drizzle! Simply melt one Hu Kitchen Simple Dark Chocolate Bar (broken into pieces) over medium heat until it’s liquid. Using a spoon, artfully drizzle the melted chocolate over your ganache-frosted donuts just before serving. This not only adds a beautiful finish but also another layer of rich chocolate flavor.

The Hu Kitchen Difference: Quality Chocolate for Healthy Desserts

While these vegan chocolate donuts are undoubtedly fabulous on their own, the addition of the easy Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache, especially when made with Hu Kitchen Chocolate, elevates them to an entirely new level of deliciousness. This partnership isn’t just about taste; it’s about aligning with values for quality, wholesome ingredients.

I genuinely love incorporating Hu Kitchen Chocolate into my desserts because their products consistently meet my strict criteria for delicious, clean eating. When you choose Hu Chocolate, you’re choosing a brand that stands for purity and quality. You’ll never find any dairy, GMOs, emulsifiers, soy lecithin, gluten, refined sugar, or sugar alcohols in their decadent chocolate products. This commitment to simple, real ingredients makes them an ideal choice for healthy, plant-based baking and a perfect complement to these guilt-free donuts.

The 2-ingredient ganache showcases the incredible flavor of their Hazelnut Butter Chocolate Bar, creating a creamy, rich topping that perfectly complements the baked chocolate donuts. And for that extra flourish, the optional chocolate drizzle is simply melted Hu Kitchen Simple Dark Chocolate – pure, unadulterated chocolate bliss. I honestly couldn’t decide between a ganache and a drizzle, so I opted for both because, well, YOLO! But rest assured, whether you choose one, both, or none, these donuts are yours for the making and will be absolutely delicious either way.

Serving and Storing Your Vegan Chocolate Donuts

These aren’t your average, overly sweet, greasy baked goods. These vegan chocolate donuts possess a unique charm and versatility, making them suitable for various occasions and cravings. The speed at which they bake – just 15 minutes – truly feels like magic, especially when compared to the longer baking times of breads and muffins. It’s a culinary mystery I’m certainly not going to argue with!

Despite their dessert-like appearance and flavor, these donuts are packed with beneficial nutrients like fiber from oat flour, protein from flaxseed and flours, complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, and antioxidants from cacao. This makes them wonderfully flexible for when and how you enjoy them:

• Breakfast Delight: Pair them with your morning coffee or tea for a wholesome and satisfying start to your day.
• Tasty Snack: They make a perfect pick-me-up during the afternoon, offering sustained energy without the sugar crash.
• Evening Dessert: Serve them as a light yet decadent dessert after dinner, perhaps with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.
• Special Occasions: These donuts are ideal for Sunday brunch gatherings with friends, bridal showers, baby showers, or even an office party. Their impressive presentation and crowd-pleasing flavor make them a hit.

And yes, if you’re feeling a bit playful, don’t hesitate to wear them as “ring bling” – that luscious ganache and drizzle deserve to be seen and admired!

Storage Instructions:

To maintain their freshness and delightful texture, store any leftover vegan chocolate donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to one week. For longer storage, you can also freeze the unfrosted donuts for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature and then proceed with the ganache and drizzle when ready to serve.

Enjoy every delicious, guilt-free bite!

Explore More Delightful Vegan Donut Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these Vegan Chocolate Donuts, you’ll be thrilled to know there are more wholesome, plant-based donut adventures waiting for you. Dive into these other popular Flora & Vino donut recipes:

• Vegan Apple Cider Donuts

• Vegan Pumpkin Donuts with Maple SunButter Frosting

• Date Sweetened Donuts with Chocolate Frosting

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XO, Lauren

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